Great South Coast
Regional Growth Plan Summary
This document is a summary of the Great South Coast Regional Growth Plan. The
full plan is available at www.dtpli.vic.gov.au/regionalgrowthplans
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employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is
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relying on any information in this publication.
May 2014
Contents
Minister’s Message ........................................................................................................................... i
WHY WE NEED A PLAN ................................................................................................................. 1
STATE OF CITIES .............................................................................................................................. 2
SNAPSHOT OF GREAT SOUTH COAST ..................................................................................... 3
VISION AND PRINCIPLES FOR GREAT SOUTH COAST ...................................................... 6
ABOUT GREAT SOUTH COAST .................................................................................................... 7
THE REGIONAL GROWTH PLAN MAP ..................................................................................... 8
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES? ................................................................................................. 9
LIVING IN THE GREAT SOUTH COAST ................................................................................. 10
KEY TOWNS – FUTURE PLANS OVER THE NEXT 20-30 YEARS ................................. 12
REGIONAL ECONOMY ................................................................................................................. 17
ENVIRONMENT AND HERITAGE ............................................................................................ 19
REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE ................................................................................................ 20
DELIVERING REGIONAL GROWTH ........................................................................................ 22
FURTHER READING AND INFORMATION .......................................................................... 23
Minister’s Message
In 2011 the Victorian Government, through the $17.2 million Regional Centres of
the Future Program, advanced work across the state to support councils,
communities and government authorities in planning for the future growth of
their regions.
The Great South Coast Regional Growth Plan is one of eight prepared across the
state to help guide a coordinated regional response to population growth and
regional change over the next 30 years.
In the May budget I announced a commitment of $12.3 million for regional
Victoria towards the implementation of regional growth plans and continuation
of the Rural Council Planning Flying Squad that plays such a valued role in
assisting councils with major projects, developments and statutory planning
support.
Victoria’s population has been projected to grow by around three million people
between 2011 and 2041. It is projected that 20 to 25 per cent of that growth will
be in regional Victoria – more than double the amount of growth over the
previous 30 years.
In order to accommodate this growth, provide lifestyle choice and share job
opportunities, we need to become a ‘state of cities’.
In developing these growth plans, councils have worked with their regional
counterparts and the State Government to identify key environmental, cultural,
recreational, economic, tourism and natural resources of value, which will be
preserved, maintained or developed.
The work has already assisted councils in providing strategic information and
mapping. The plans will deliver immediate outcomes, while also providing a
planning framework to assist rural and regional councils to plan for population
growth and ensure long-term regional land supply.
The regional growth plans will be key instruments in helping to identify future
infrastructure investment needs to support local education and health services
and employment opportunities.
I'd like to thank everyone who has contributed to the development of the Great
South Coast Regional Growth Plan including our local government partners and
the Project Steering Committee that put the plan together. I look forward to the
plan helping to shape a more prosperous future for the region.
Great South Coast Regional Growth Plan Summary
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The Hon Matthew Guy MLC
Minister for Planning
Great South Coast Regional Growth Plan Summary
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WHY WE NEED A PLAN
The Great South Coast Regional Growth Plan has been developed over two years
in partnership between local government and state agencies and authorities. The
plan covers the municipalities of Corangamite, Glenelg, Moyne, Southern
Grampians and Warrnambool.
Careful planning to manage ongoing population growth and change will provide
the basis for a stronger local economy, liveable communities and sustainable
infrastructure and services.
The plan considers a range of land uses including agriculture, tourism,
environmental assets, commercial and residential. It recommends checks and
balances that need to be applied when considering future growth.
As areas change over time infrastructure and service needs also change. Longterm planning is the best way to ensure these needs are met. A regional
approach to planning enables coordinated responses across municipal borders.
The plan’s key land use planning directions will be implemented through the
state planning system. This will provide a regional context to guide and inform
councils in planning for their municipalities and support decision making at a
local level.
“The Great South Coast Regional Growth Plan provides a vision for
long-term prosperity and sustainable growth.”
The Great South Coast Regional Growth Plan:
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establishes a framework for strategic land use and settlement planning
that can sustainably accommodate growth
identifies important economic, environmental, social and cultural
resources to be preserved, maintained or developed
provides direction for accommodating growth and change including
residential, employment, industrial, commercial, agriculture and other
rural activities
shows which areas of land can accommodate growth and which are to be
maintained for other uses
identifies opportunities for supporting regional level infrastructure,
providing an essential contribution to the long-term sustainability of the
region.
Great South Coast Regional Growth Plan Summary
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STATE OF CITIES
“We will maximise the growth potential of Victoria by developing a
state of cities which delivers choice, opportunity and global
competitiveness.”
PLAN MELBOURNE METROPOLITAN PLANNING STRATEGY
The State Government’s new metropolitan planning strategy, Plan Melbourne,
provides a land use and transport plan to 2050.
The regional growth plans are aligned with Plan Melbourne through the
following directions.
Plan Melbourne directions:
6.1 Deliver a permanent boundary around Melbourne
6.2 Rebalance Victoria’s population growth from Melbourne to rural and regional
Victoria over the life of the strategy
6.3 Integrate metropolitan, peri-urban and regional planning implementation
6.4 Improve connections between cities.
Great South Coast Regional Growth Plan Summary
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SNAPSHOT OF GREAT SOUTH COAST
The region
23,000 sq km
Located in south west Victoria
Extends from the Otway Ranges in the east to the South Australian border
Six catchment basins: Glenelg, Hopkins, Lake Corangamite, Portland Coast,
Otway Coast and Millicent Coast
Employment – Top 5
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15% - Health Care and Social Assistance
12% - Retail Trade
12% - Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
11% - Manufacturing
9% - Construction
Employment
Over 50,000 jobs in the region
Just over 19,000 jobs in Warrnambool and over 3000 businesses
Living in the region
Around 101,600 people live in the region
About 32,600 people live in Warrnambool
131,239 people are expected to live in the region by 2041
50% of the region’s population live in Warrnambool, Portland and Hamilton.
Quiz questions
1. Which natural lake, with an area of 17,262 hectares, is Victoria’s largest?
2. Which town is the site of Victoria’s first permanent European settlement
in 1830?
Quiz answers
1. Lake Corangamite.
2. Portland.
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Amazing fact
The spectacular Great Ocean Road is an Australian heritage-listed 243 km stretch
of road, constructed by more than 3000 ex-servicemen in memory of those who
lost their lives in World War I. It is recognised as the world’s largest war
memorial.
Amazing fact
The Budj Bim Natural Heritage Landscape near Tyrendarra is of outstanding
value. It contains the remains of a complex system of natural and artificially
created wetlands, channels, the stone bases of weirs and stone fish traps that
were used by the Gunditjmara people to grow and harvest eels and fish. The
remains of the channels, weirs and fish traps are hundreds, and probably
thousands, of years old. (source: Builth, 2002, 2003)
Amazing fact
The Shipwreck Coast is named for more than 200 shipwrecks between Port Fairy
and Cape Otway. Many occurred in the goldrush years of the mid-19th century,
as sailing ships bringing immigrants foundered on the reefs. Sometimes
passengers and crew were lucky, with their ship simply running aground on the
shore, allowing them to get off safely. Often the results were grim, such as the
wreck of the Loch Ard, with 52 lives lost, leaving only two survivors.
Tourism
The southern Grampians are a key tourism destination, including food and wine
in Dunkeld.
Port Fairy Folk Festival is held every March and sees the usual town population
of 3100 swell to over 40,000.
Transport
There are 5 major highway corridors within the region:
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Princes
Hamilton
Glenelg
Henty
Hopkins
2 rail corridors connect the region to Geelong, Melbourne and Adelaide.
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Portland’s major infrastructure includes the Port of Portland (one of Australia’s
major deep-water, bulk handling ports) and energy transmission infrastructure
to the Portland Aluminium Smelter.
Regional airports are located at Warrnambool, Portland and Hamilton
Industry and Business
Forest plantations – 17% of this sector in Australia, producing hardwood and
softwood
Woodchips – 1.2 million tonnes exported annually from Port of Portland
Dairy Industry – 22 per cent of Australia’s dairy production worth $1 billion
annually
$1.5 billion – the annual value of trade through the Port of Portland
Fisheries – $1 million worth of king crabs exported each year primarily to Asian
markets
Portland is the largest rock lobster port in Victoria, landing over $4 million
worth of product each year
Agriculture sector provides over 30% of employment in Corangamite and Moyne
shires
Abundant renewable energy assets (wind, geothermal, wave and natural gas
reserves) – an opportunity to become Australia’s alternative energy capital
Great South Coast Regional Growth Plan Summary
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VISION FOR GREAT SOUTH COAST
The Great South Coast region will create a thriving, multifaceted and resilient
economy, while valuing and managing our natural resources and environment.
Our people will be healthy, well educated and have great lifestyle choices. We
will work together for a stronger, more prosperous, equitable and liveable Great
South Coast.
Principles to achieve the vision
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Strengthen the region’s economy through increased industry
diversification, innovation and development.
Attract more people to the region.
Enhance our liveability through improved health, education and
standards of living.
Build on our network of towns and the roles played by them.
Manage and utilise our strategic assets and support agricultural
productivity.
Sustainably manage our natural resources and environmental assets.
Enhance equity of access to infrastructure, facilities and services.
Strengthen connections to other regions.
Ensure that land and infrastructure needed to support growth are
identified and appropriately planned.
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ABOUT GREAT SOUTH COAST
The Great South Coast region is a significant contributor to Victoria’s prosperity
and liveability. Agriculture, manufacturing and healthcare contribute around 40
per cent of the gross regional product of more than $4 billion a year.
The region stretches from the Otway Ranges, along the coast to the South
Australian border and up to the Grampians National Park in the north.
Warrnambool, with its education facilities, health and community services and
retail and commercial trade is the dominant settlement in the region. Portland
and Hamilton are important regional centres that service surrounding areas.
The region’s spectacular environmental assets, from the Great Ocean Road and
the Shipwreck Coast to boutique towns like Dunkeld and Port Fairy, attract
thousands of tourists. Aboriginal cultural heritage is an intrinsic element of the
region. The Budj Bim National Heritage Landscape, which incorporates the
Mount Eccles-Lake Condah and the Tyrendarra areas, was included on the
National Heritage List in 2004.
Natural resources including native timber, fisheries, wind resources, natural gas,
coal, stone resources, and deep-water port access underpin the area’s economy
and provide a competitive advantage.
Key features:
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rich in environmental assets and natural resources
iconic destinations such as the Great Ocean Road, the Port Campbell
National Park (featuring the Twelve Apostles), and the Grampians
National Park, which underpin a thriving tourism industry and provide
the basis for the lifestyle of the region’s residents
reliable water supply and rainfall together with high quality soils which
support a strong agricultural sector
the regional city of Warrnambool which provides higher order services
for the whole region
one of Australia’s best deep water ports, located at Portland
strong road and rail links both throughout the region, to surrounding
regions, and on to Melbourne and South Australia
a hub for alternative energy production.
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THE REGIONAL GROWTH PLAN MAP
The regional growth plan map illustrates where growth is anticipated to occur in
the region and the major transport, economic and social relationships between
cities, centres and towns.
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WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES?
Population growth and change, developing new and emerging industries, the
changing nature of agriculture and the potential impacts of climate change all
present challenges for the Great South Coast region. Understanding these
challenges – and opportunities – is critical for developing a longer-term plan for
the region.
Challenges for growth
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managing competing demands for agricultural land, including limiting
urban encroachment into highly productive agricultural areas
maintaining and upgrading road and rail networks and transport services
to meet the needs of the growing economy and of residents and visitors
maintaining and upgrading tourism infrastructure, particularly along the
Great Ocean Road
planning, funding and delivering key physical infrastructure in sequence
with residential and industrial development
overcoming constraints to the expansion of the Port of Portland and
development of related industries in the port precinct
maximising the potential benefits of energy production, while managing
the impacts on amenity, roads and environment
sourcing local sand, stone and mineral resources to support economic
development and minimise heavy freight movement
improving levels of education, youth retention and engagement in higher
education or training
increasing population growth rates above current and forecast trends, to
support industry and community services and facilities and to offset an
ageing population
providing sufficient, well-located and accessible housing
fostering social and community connections, especially for small towns in
transition
managing climate change risks and opportunities across the environment,
economy and social sectors
the sustainable management of the region’s natural resources, and its
significant environmental assets
ensuring planning around areas of high environmental value is
undertaken to avoid and minimise potential negative impacts.
Great South Coast Regional Growth Plan Summary
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LIVING IN GREAT SOUTH COAST
The plan identifies settlements that have the greatest opportunity to attract
economic and population growth, while protecting environmental and cultural
heritage and avoiding areas at high risk from natural hazards such as bushfire
and flood.
Future directions
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support a ‘network of towns’ approach to planning, development,
infrastructure, transport and service provision.
support growth in towns that have easy access to regional cities or
regional centres, including Warrnambool, Colac, Ballarat and Geelong, and
along the Princes and Henty highways.
direct urban development to existing townships including identified
growth areas, undeveloped land and infill opportunities within existing
town boundaries.
reinforce the role of Warrnambool as the key population and employment
centre for the region.
support the role of Hamilton as an important regional centre for the
Southern Grampians Shire and as a gateway to northern regions.
support Portland to service the region’s south west and for the Port of
Portland to be a national and international gateway for exports.
reinforce the role of district towns in supporting local communities,
industry and services.
support towns with limited opportunity for growth to sustain their
communities and key services and improve connections to larger towns.
support the provision and maintenance of infrastructure and services to
enable the growth of settlements.
protect and promote the liveability and amenity attributes of towns,
together with their festivals and events that are critical in attracting and
retaining residents, businesses and visitors.
improve access to health services and raise educational attainment levels
throughout the region.
support industry through population retention and growth across the
region, particularly in locations where continued economic and industrial
development is expected.
maintain discrete settlements and breaks between settlements, for the
integrity of urban and rural character and to minimise potential land use
conflict.
direct rural residential development towards existing locations and
designated areas around townships so that it will not compromise
agricultural use, economic opportunities, urban development or areas of
Great South Coast Regional Growth Plan Summary
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high environmental value or areas subject to high risk from natural
hazards, especially bushfire, flood and coastal inundation.
protect significant environmental and cultural assets that underpin the
character and liveability of the region and ensure industrial activity is
separate from sensitive areas.
direct development on the coast to locations within existing modified and
resilient environments where the demand for development is evident and
the impact can be managed.
Great South Coast Regional Growth Plan Summary
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KEY TOWNS – FUTURE PLANS OVER THE NEXT 20-30 YEARS
City of Warrnambool
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Year – 2011
o Population – 32,592
Year – 2021
o Population – 39,416
Year – 2031
o Population – 43,934
Warrnambool
Regional City
Major Growth – The regional city of Warrnambool is the dominant service
centre for the region, and is expected to accommodate 50 to 60 per cent of the
region’s population growth over the next 30 years. Major development will be
focussed in designated growth areas to the north west, south west, north and
north east. The central business district will be the primary location for retail,
services and facilities. There will be an increase in housing choice and the city
will capitalise on its education and health services. The Eastern Activity Precinct
will be expanded as the secondary retail centre of Warrnambool.
Allansford
District Town
Medium Growth – Allansford provides an alternate lifestyle to city living in
Warrnambool. Higher density housing will be encouraged around the town’s east
and west.
Southern Grampians Shire
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Year – 2011
o Population – 16,510
Year – 2021
o Population – 18,256
Year – 2031
o Population – 19,004
Hamilton
Regional Centre
Medium Growth – Hamilton is an important regional centre and services
surrounding areas that extend into other regions and South Australia. It has the
capacity to become a centre for high level technical and research services
supporting rural and regional industries. The town will build on its strengths by
Great South Coast Regional Growth Plan Summary
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establishing a health precinct around the Hamilton Base Hospital and an
education precinct around the RMIT University campus. More residential growth
will occur around Hensley Park Road, Lakes Edge, the South East Residential
Precinct and Hiller Lane.
Dunkeld
District Town
Medium Growth – Dunkeld’s economy will grow and diversify, including rural
industry and tourism. Different residential lot sizes will be provided to meet
demand while minimising exposure to potential bushfire and flood risk.
Coleraine
District Town
Sustainable change – Coleraine will continue to service surrounding beef and
wool growing areas and provide for rural lifestyles in an attractive setting.
Glenelg Shire
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Year – 2011
o Population – 19,843
Year – 2021
o Population – 22,214
Year – 2031
o Population – 23,155
Portland
Regional Centre
Medium growth – An important regional centre, Portland is a nationally
significant seaport providing a gateway to global markets. The town is expected
to grow over the next 30 years through further development of the Port of
Portland and emerging wave energy technology. Tourism growth will be
encouraged, including nature-based tourism and development of a cruise ship
terminal. Portland will continue to service the network of surrounding towns.
Housing diversity and central business district expansion will be encouraged.
Heywood
District Town
Medium growth – Heywood’s residential corridors are expected to develop to
the north of the Fitzroy River and the west of Beavis Street with tourism
opportunities arising from the town’s role as gateway to the Budj Bim National
Heritage Landscape.
Great South Coast Regional Growth Plan Summary
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Casterton
District Town
Sustainable change – Casterton will continue to provide services to the
surrounding areas of Victoria’s western district and tourism opportunities linked
to its history as the ‘birthplace of the kelpie’.
Moyne Shire
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Year – 2011
o Population – 16,175
Year – 2021
o Population – 18,496
Year – 2031
o Population – 19,884
Koroit
District Town
Medium Growth – Koroit’s heritage values and historic buildings will be
protected while an appropriate level of commercial and industrial activity and
community and health services will be supported. The town is a residential
alternative to Warrnambool.
Mortlake
District Town
Medium Growth – Mortlake’s tourism numbers are expected to grow, which will
provide a catalyst to grow the town’s service industry. The Mortlake gas power
station has the potential to attract economic growth and expand employment
opportunities particularly relating to food processing.
Port Fairy
District Town
Medium Growth – Port Fairy’s highly valued qualities as a place to live will be
protected and the existing reserved bypass route will be maintained. Continued
cultural and tourism activities are supported.
Corangamite Shire
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Year – 2011
o Population – 16,504
Year – 2021
o Population – 18,172
Year – 2031
Great South Coast Regional Growth Plan Summary
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o Population – 18,821
Camperdown
District Town
Medium Growth – Camperdown will see an increase in agricultural and
manufacturing functions to generate employment opportunities. Residential
growth will be encouraged through promotion of the town’s character and
liveability.
Cobden
District Town
Medium Growth – The dairy industry surrounding Cobden will continue to be
supported and business growth will be encouraged in the town’s industrial
estate. Continued residential growth will be supported.
Port Campbell
District Town
Medium Growth – Development in Port Campbell will be limited to key
locations within the existing settlement to protect the significant environmental
value of the surrounding land.
Terang
District Town
Medium Growth – Terang’s dairy and associated industries will continue to be
supported, along with the continued expansion of its role as a residential hub for
workers in the sub-region.
Timboon
District Town
Medium Growth – Timboon’s dairy and tourism industries will be supported, as
will continued residential growth.
Major Growth – means the cities and towns with the greatest capacity to
accommodate growth, in terms of land supply, infrastructure and services, e.g.
the regional cities like Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Latrobe City, Wodonga and
Warrnambool
Medium Growth – means the cities and towns that have the infrastructure and
services that can support additional growth subject to addressing planning
constraints such as bushfire and flood hazard
Great South Coast Regional Growth Plan Summary
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Sustainable Change – refers to existing towns that have capacity to support
limited additional growth at a smaller scale, subject to addressing planning
constraints such as bushfire and flood hazard
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REGIONAL ECONOMY
The forecast growth of the economy, coupled with an ageing population, will
require above-projected population growth to ensure an available and skilled
workforce for local businesses, services and industries.
Future directions
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sustainably manage areas of high quality agricultural land to support
growth in food production
support higher value-adding and diversification of existing industries and
land uses where they build on existing infrastructure and do not
compromise the region’s agricultural, environmental and cultural
heritage significance
foster opportunities for investment, infrastructure, innovation and
research that support and strengthen the rural economy
maintain and enhance key infrastructure including the Port of Portland
and direct transport links to and from production, processing and
markets
utilise natural resources and environmental assets sustainably to
underpin economic development and liveability within the region,
ensuring protection from incompatible land use and development
identify potential economic opportunities and risks resulting from climate
change to strengthen the rural economy
attract, develop and retain a skilled workforce, particularly young people,
and improve school retention and educational attainment levels
support population in rural areas to provide a workforce for agricultural
production and major projects
support industrial development that takes advantage of the region’s
natural resources and infrastructure and direct development to towns, or
other appropriate places if the industry is dependent on a rural location
or it has significant amenity impacts
encourage local energy production, ‘smart’ electricity distribution
systems, and across the eastern part of the region encourage investment
in natural gas infrastructure
strengthen distributed health and service centres throughout the region
support appropriate development and investment to strengthen the role
and economy of towns including small towns facing economic and
population challenges
facilitate the development of the Port of Portland, through investment in
infrastructure, planning controls, access to land and new opportunities
and markets including cruise ships
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support the sustainable development of the region’s marine environment
and infrastructure to support industry and recreational uses
encourage the sustainable development of the tourism sector including
investment in infrastructure to improve access to regional tourism assets
and linkages with surrounding regions to develop integrated tourism
experiences.
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ENVIRONMENT AND HERITAGE
Great South Coast has a rich and diverse environment and culture which
contributes significantly to prosperity and liveability in the region. At the same
time, urban growth and commercial, industrial and rural residential
development need to be well planned and managed.
Future directions
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avoid settlement growth in areas of high environmental, heritage or
scenic value and in areas at extreme risk from natural hazards including
bushfire, catchment flooding, coastal erosion and coastal storm
inundation
direct settlement growth and development to:
o areas where it will avoid or minimise impacts on high value
environmental and cultural heritage assets, applying appropriate
offsets if land is cleared of native vegetation
o areas of low bushfire risk or low flood risk. Development in flood
or bushfire risk areas is to be avoided unless suitable planning,
building and infrastructure controls are provided to protect life
and property
o minimise the expansion and impacts of urban development on
areas of highly productive agricultural soils, natural resources,
environmental assets or areas of heritage and environmental value
consider regionally significant environmental assets and regional
catchment strategy priorities in local planning decisions and in the
implementation of this plan
enable appropriate tourism opportunities around cultural heritage and
environmental assets, where impacts and risks can be managed
identify the preferred location, configuration and composition of native
vegetation corridors, including those containing offsets for native
vegetation clearance, through collaboration with natural resource
management agencies
encourage projects that improve the management and sustainable use of
water resources
develop a flexible approach to land use planning in order to adapt to land
use changes resulting from climate change, economic diversification and
future growth trends
recognise the importance of environmental assets for the delivery of a
range of environmental values, including a range of ecosystem services
and economic opportunities through market-based instruments such as
the native vegetation offset markets.
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REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Economic and population growth will be promoted in locations that are well
supported by existing infrastructure, and in particular locations with capacity for
infrastructure enhancements.
Future directions
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identify new and improved infrastructure to support growth, including
road, rail, water, waste, gas, sewer and social infrastructure
maximise the efficient use of infrastructure and sustain communities by
directing major growth and urban development to existing centres
plan and capture developer contributions and coordinate the delivery of
infrastructure to ensure it is supplied efficiently and when required to
support growth
investigate improvements to the road and rail networks and port
infrastructure to improve access and connectivity
improve road connections and rail services to and from Warrnambool to
facilitate its growth and support increased visitors to the region from
Geelong and Melbourne
improve road and rail connections to and from the west, north and northeast to Hamilton and Portland to support tourism, industry and
community connections
encourage the early provision and take-up of the National Broadband
Network by households and industry across the region
improve the coverage and reliability of telecommunications across the
region
encourage local energy production and use with supporting smart
electricity distribution systems
encourage using the spare capacity in the 500k transmission line
including improving local energy distribution systems and supporting
adjacent energy production
support the sustainable development of the region’s maritime
environment and infrastructure for industry and recreational uses
investigate industry need for an intermodal freight terminal
maintain and enhance key infrastructure including the Port of Portland
and direct transport links from production, processing and markets
support the Port of Portland’s expansion through appropriate planning
controls, infrastructure provision, particularly rail and road networks,
and areas to meet the long-term industrial land needs in and around
Portland, Hamilton, Heywood and Casterton
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maintain and develop tourism infrastructure to support and connect
assets such as the Great Ocean Road, Great Southern Touring Route, Lake
Condah and the Grampians National Park
support the renewal, maintenance and improvement of health and
education facilities and other community infrastructure that enhance the
liveability and attractiveness of the region.
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DELIVERING REGIONAL GROWTH
The Great South Coast Regional Growth Plan has identified a series of actions
that, over the next 30 years, will help realise the vision for the region. Some of
these things will happen almost immediately, others will evolve over time.
Outcomes:
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major development and new and improved services in Warrnambool, the
key population and employment growth area in the region
growth of the important regional centres of Hamilton and Portland, and
district towns supporting networked communities across the region
increased housing densities and infill developments in urban areas and
locations that are accessible to shops, transport networks and other
community services and facilities
additional educational, research and health facilities across the region,
with the development of specialised precincts in regional centres
growth and diversification in food production and other existing
industries and land uses including the forestry, dairy, meat, fibre, grain,
mineral sands and energy sectors
better transport options and links between towns within the region, and
to major cities such as Geelong, Ballarat and Melbourne
improved and flexible freight connections to link areas of production and
manufacturing to export markets in and beyond the region
development and enhancement of the Port of Portland with associated
road and rail networks
greater supply of industrial land to support development opportunities in
the agriculture and energy sectors
development of the eastern part of the region to take advantage of its
location on the east-west corridor and its proximity to Geelong and
metropolitan Melbourne
vegetation corridors established between high value environmental
assets
increased development associated with nature-based attractions and
cultural heritage, with the region becoming a national destination for
nature-based tourism.
Great South Coast Regional Growth Plan Summary
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FURTHER READING AND INFORMATION
www.dtpli.vic.gov.au/regionalgrowthplans
Great South Coast Regional Growth Plan
Great South Coast Regional Growth Plan Background report
Great South Coast Regional Strategic Plan (2010)
Great South Coast Regional Growth Plan Summary
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